Category: Museum on the road

Dodo Roadshow: Bristol Museum

To mark our selection as a Finalist in the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015 we’re embarking on a unique and ambitious tour of the country – the Dodo Roadshow.

Beginning at Land’s End on 8 June and concluding in John O’Groats one week later, the famous Oxford Dodo will visit more than 20 museums and galleries along the way. At each stop the Dodo will ‘interview’ one of the venue’s star objects.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery: Alfred the Gorilla

So, tell me about yourself – who are you and where do you come from?
My name is Alfred the Gorilla. I was the international celebrity ape of my day and I now keep an eye on the goings on at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. I was born in the Congo and came to live at Bristol Zoo when I was three years old. I have been in Bristol ever since.

What is it that makes you so special?
Well apart from being terribly handsome…when I arrived in Bristol in 1930 I was one of only two gorillas living in zoos in Europe and was noted for my lively personality, my excellent choice of knitwear (Bristol was rather colder than I was used to) and my accurate snowball throwing. I was the star attraction at the Zoo and, during World War II, 20,000 postcards of me were sold in just one year!

I came to the Museum for my retirement in 1948. I’m still popular to this day, especially after I mysteriously disappeared for four days in 1956 – I escaped with some student friends and got up to all sorts of mischief before they safely returned me to the Museum, only needing my hair brushed. During my time at the Museum I’ve inspired film-makers, artists, writers, conservationists and scientists with my unique story, and continue to entertain the people of Bristol to this day.

Who looks after you in this place?
Rhian and Bonnie, my two curators keep an eye on me and all my animal friends at the Museum. They make sure I’m always looking my best – I’ve been in Bristol over 80 years but I don’t look a day over 20! Our lovely visitor assistants make sure my fans can easily find me in the Museum and of course the lovely people of Bristol look after me too, they support the Museum which, in turn, cares for me.

Do you remember life before the Museum?
Yes of course, I remember the Congolese lady who looked after me as a baby in the rainforest, my travels through Europe where I stayed in Holland, my heyday as a young famous gorilla at the Zoo and the terrible time during the World War II. I remember how the people of Bristol welcomed me into their city and I am reminded of their kindness every time someone comes to say hello at the Museum.

What does the future hold for you?
Well, I know I will be cared for here at the Museum for many more years to come and hope I can still inspire the people of Bristol for another 80 years at least. Despite my senior years,  I’m a thoroughly modern gorilla and regularly tweet @alfred_gorilla, so you can follow me to see what other adventures I have in store!

Dodo Roadshow: Royal Cornwall Museum

To mark our selection as a Finalist in the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015 we’re embarking on a unique and ambitious tour of the country – the Dodo Roadshow.

Beginning at Land’s End on 8 June and concluding in John O’Groats one week later, the famous Oxford Dodo will visit more than 20 museums and galleries along the way. At each stop the Dodo will ‘interview’ one of the venue’s star objects.

Royal Cornwall Museum: a huge nugget of gold

So, tell me about yourself – who are you and where do you come from?
Well, I’m the largest nugget of gold ever found in Cornwall, and I can be seen at the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro.

What is it that makes you so special?
Beauty, rarity … and of course my size. I weigh an impressive 60 grams; that’s about the same as a large hen’s egg. What would a Dodo’s egg have weighed I wonder…?

Who looks after you in this place?
I have a very dedicated support team who pander to my every need: housekeepers who make sure my home environment is just perfect, interpreters who help me tell my story, bouncers who help cushion me from my adoring fans and PAs who make sure I’m seen in all the right places…

Do you remember life before the museum?
Not a lot, my early life is a blur.  My first real memory is being ‘discovered’ in a Cornish river bed. That was in February, 1808 if my memory serves.  I caused a sensation in the press, with people desperate to own me. Nothing but the best for me though: I was acquired by Philip Rashleigh, that most discerning of Cornish mineral collectors.

What does the future hold for you?
My museum owners will be 200 years old in 2018, and as I’m one of their major stars there will be endless public appearances, photoshoots and press calls. If it all gets too much I might go on retreat for some quiet study, maybe even see my analyst.

Dodo Roadshow: National Maritime Museum Cornwall

To mark our selection as a Finalist in the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015 we’re embarking on a unique and ambitious tour of the country – the Dodo Roadshow. Beginning at Land’s End on 8 June and concluding in John O’Groats one week later, the famous Oxford Dodo will visit more than 20 museums and galleries along the way. At each stop the Dodo will ‘interview’ one of the venue’s star objects.

National Maritime Museum Cornwall: Walrus, Viking Cargo Ship

So, tell me about yourself – who are you and where do you come from?
Viking cargo ship built from oak in Denmark in the 11th century. I plied the seas of northern Europe carrying all sorts of wares like furs, antlers, amber, silver and of course walrus ivory, a most desirable item in great demand by those with a bit of spare money to spend. I am 14m long and 3.3m wide and I have a tall mast which can carry a huge square sail made of woven wool.

What is it that makes you so special?
My name is Walrus – or Hrosshvalr in Old Norse meaning horse whale. Everyone who visits the Maritime Museum can climb aboard me and explore my beautiful craftsmanship; from the hand-carved stems to the overlapping planks characteristic of clinker-built ships of the Viking Age. They can discover my cargoes by smelling and feeling the goods stored in the barrels, chests and baskets. The Vikings built the best ships that could cross oceans and go far inland up rivers. I’m more used to hopping from coast to coast and am mainly powered by the wind.

Who looks after you in this place?
I was built and am looked after by the Maritime Museum’s Boat Team.

Do you remember life before the museum?
When I said I was built in the 11th century in Viking Denmark, in fact I have come back from the dead for this very special exhibition, Viking Voyagers. After my trading days I was scuttled – or deliberately sunk – in the Roskilde Fjord around the year 1000 with a few other ships, apparently to create a defence against sea-borne attacks from elsewhere. I don’t know why. I’m just glad to be back again and to have thousands of people marvel at how splendid I am. If they hold my steering oar or styrbord (where your modern word starboard comes from) they might be able to imagine all the adventures I had 1000 years ago.

What does the future hold for you?
I am content here to tell my story for the duration of this very special exhibition Viking Voyagers which will remain at the Maritime Museum until early 2017. Then? Who knows. Perhaps I’ll end up dead as a Dodo again.